Riot Games, the titan behind global phenomena like League of Legends and Valorant
, is already scaling back the team dedicated to its recently launched free-to-play fighting game,
2XKO. This move signals the intense pressures within the live service gaming sector, where even industry giants face formidable challenges.
2XKO’s Rocky Start: A Victim of Market Competition?
According to an announcement from Executive Producer Tom Cannon, Riot is “reducing the size” of the team developing 2XKO. The game, which immerses players in the expansive League of Legends
universe, made its early access debut on PC in October before arriving on consoles just weeks ago. Despite years in development, first revealed as ‘Project L’ in 2019, its journey has hit an early snag.
Cannon’s statement sheds light on the situation: “As we expanded from PC to console, we saw consistent trends in how players were engaging with 2XKO. The game has resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term.” This candid assessment underscores the brutal reality of the live service landscape, where sustained player engagement is paramount for survival.
Riot’s Shifting Strategy and the Broader Industry Trend
This decision isn’t an isolated incident for Riot Games. The company has been actively diversifying its portfolio beyond its flagship MOBA, with notable successes like the critically acclaimed Netflix series Arcane and the tactical shooter Valorant. However, not all ventures have flourished. In 2024, Riot shuttered its indie publishing label and initiated layoffs affecting approximately 11 percent of its staff, signaling a strategic pivot to concentrate on its “core live games.”
The challenges faced by 2XKO
are emblematic of a wider industry trend. The live service market is notoriously cutthroat, a fact even major players like Sony have struggled to navigate. Developers are constantly battling for player attention and retention, making it difficult for new titles, even those from established studios, to carve out a sustainable niche.
Impact on Staff and a Path Forward
The team reduction for 2XKO affects “roughly 80 roles globally,” representing less than half of the total development team, as confirmed by Riot spokesperson Brian Chui to The Verge. Riot has committed to assisting affected employees in finding new internal roles, and for those for whom this isn’t possible, a severance package including six months of notice pay will be provided.
Cannon emphasized that this restructuring is not a judgment on individual team members but rather a strategic realignment. “Ultimately, this decision reflects a shift in how we operate,” he stated. “This isn’t a judgment on individual Rioters or a signal that the journey is over. We’re reshaping the team to give 2XKO a more sustainable path forward.” The smaller, refocused team will now concentrate on implementing “key improvements” and addressing player feedback, aiming to solidify
2XKO‘s foundation for long-term viability.
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